Protecting Aging Loved Ones From Financial Exploitation
At Robert M. Goldberg & Associates, many of the conversations we have with Georgia families center around preparation. People often think about estate planning in terms of wills, trusts, or long-term care planning, but one issue that continues to grow every year is financial exploitation targeting older adults.
Fraud today rarely looks like the obvious scams people picture from years ago. Modern schemes are often polished, patient, and emotionally convincing. Some begin with what appears to be a normal text message. Others start with a friendly online conversation, a fake customer service call, or a warning that an account has supposedly been compromised. The common thread is usually pressure. Scammers want people to react emotionally instead of stopping to evaluate whether something actually makes sense.
Families throughout Georgia are also seeing an increase in fake banking alerts, suspicious phone calls claiming to be from government agencies, and online impersonation scams. In some cases, criminals pretend to represent Medicare, Social Security, or financial institutions. In others, they pose as relatives, online companions, or technical support representatives. The details may vary, but the goal is the same: gaining access to money, account information, or personal data.
Another common scam we frequently warn clients about happens after a deed is recorded. Once a deed is filed, it becomes part of the public record. Scammers take advantage of this by sending official-looking letters claiming the homeowner must pay a fee, often around $50, to obtain a copy of their deed. These letters can look legitimate, which is exactly why they work. Many people do not realize that property records are public or that they are not required to pay a third-party company for copies of documents they already received.
At Robert M. Goldberg & Associates, we provide clients with copies of their recorded deeds directly. We also proactively warn clients about these mail solicitations during signing appointments and include written warnings in the cover letter sent with their deed documents. While we are not aware of any clients falling victim to this particular scam, these notices continue to circulate because they are designed to appear routine and harmless. When the request is for a relatively small amount of money, many people may not immediately recognize it as fraudulent.
One of the most effective ways to reduce vulnerability is to create a plan before a problem occurs. When legal and financial affairs are organized ahead of time, trusted family members are often better positioned to notice unusual activity quickly. Important documents such as powers of attorney, advance directives, trusts, and healthcare authorizations can help create structure during illness, cognitive decline, or crisis.
We also encourage families to slow down whenever money, passwords, wire transfers, or urgent financial requests are involved. A legitimate organization will not object to someone taking time to verify information independently. Calling a known phone number directly, discussing concerns with a trusted relative, or waiting overnight before making financial decisions can prevent costly mistakes.
Technology has also changed the way scams operate. Fraud attempts may now involve cloned voices, fake websites, manipulated caller ID information, or highly convincing emails designed to appear authentic. Because these tactics continue evolving, awareness and caution remain essential regardless of age or technological experience.
At Robert M. Goldberg & Associates, we believe elder law planning should help families prepare for real-life challenges, not simply complete paperwork. Protecting older adults may involve legal planning, financial organization, healthcare preparation, and ongoing family communication, working together.
Our firm assists clients across Georgia with elder law, estate planning, Medicaid planning, probate matters, incapacity planning, and long-term care preparation. If your family has questions about protecting aging loved ones or preparing for the future, we are here to help.
To learn more about elder law planning, call Robert M. Goldberg & Associates at 770-229-5729 or watch one of our free elder law webinars.
This article was informed by National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) consumer education materials for National Elder Law Month.
